Popko’s piece, “Trail Blazer” in Sterling Heights sits on the wall of Ventimiglia Italian Foods.
It is one of eight featured artworks being shown across Michigan as part of the Electrifly Detroit Augmented Reality Mural Festival.
The rest include several pieces in Detroit, along with two each in Ann Arbor and Battle Creek, as well as Popko’s in Sterling Heights.
At first glance, Popko’s augmented reality mural appears to be a summer-y scene, showing kids playing soccer, riding bikes and walking a rainbow trail.
However, through Electrifly’s mobile app, visitors can interact and play a game that counts the number of times they can bounce that soccer ball back to the players
The colors pop off the wall and create a much more immersive experience for passersby.
The cyclists on the trail do, indeed, cycle along the rainbow trail.
As for working with BrandXR’s Electrifly team, Popko said it was a smooth experience.
“They are really good guys,” she said.
Popko shared a story of how the owner of Ventimiglia, a man in his 60’s, received lessons from BrandXR CEO Mahmoud “Moody” Mattan.
Mattan patiently showed him how to download the app and the cool things he could do with it.
“It was the coolest thing ever,” she said. “It was a beautiful moment. To see the building owner with his apron on, and he’s all gray-haired, and just giggling. It was incredible.”
